MIT AgeLab
MIT AgeLab is a multidisciplinary research laboratory within MIT that conducts consumer-centered research on aging, longevity, caregiving, and transportation, funded by sponsored partnerships with enterprises like John Hancock, Manulife, Transamerica, and AARP rather than commercial product sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MIT AgeLab does
MIT AgeLab is a multidisciplinary research laboratory within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, founded in 1999 to invent and translate technologies into practical solutions that improve quality of life across the lifespan, with a primary focus on aging populations. The lab operates as part of MIT's nonprofit academic research structure, located at 1 Amherst Street, Cambridge, MA, and is led by Founder and Director Joseph F. Coughlin. Its research spans four domains: Caregiving & Well-Being, Home Logistics & Services, Retirement & Longevity Planning, and Transportation & Livable Communities, applying consumer-centered systems thinking through surveys, driving simulation studies, focus groups, and longitudinal panel research.
The lab's core research assets include the Longevity Preparedness Index (a survey-based assessment tool measuring Americans' readiness for aging across eight domains, developed with John Hancock), and three research panels: CareHive (caregivers), the 85+ Lifestyle Leaders Panel, and the Preparing for Longevity Advisory Network (PLAN). It maintains a portfolio of educational resources (8,000 Days Workbook, caregiving guides, dementia financial planning guides, driving safety materials) and produces books authored by lab researchers (The Longevity Economy, Longevity Hubs, Perceived Safety, Grasp, How to Make AI Useful).
MIT AgeLab does not sell commercial products; it is funded through sponsored research partnerships with corporations (notably John Hancock, Manulife, Transamerica, The Hartford), academic grants, and collaborations with government agencies and NGOs (AARP, Milken Institute, National Institute on Ageing). Its enterprise go-to-market is built on long-term research partnerships with firms in financial services, insurance, healthcare, automotive, and technology seeking consumer insights on aging populations, rather than product or service sales. Public outputs include free educational resources, whitepapers, academic publications, conference presentations, and books.
MIT AgeLab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MIT AgeLab
- Legal name
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Website
- https://agelab.mit.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- MIT AgeLab is a multidisciplinary research laboratory within MIT that conducts consumer-centered research on aging, longevity, caregiving, and transportation, funded by sponsored partnerships with enterprises like John Hancock, Manulife, Transamerica, and AARP rather than commercial product sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MIT AgeLab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Academic Research Services
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- University- or College-Affiliated Senior Learning Programs (EDAAAMAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Health, Wellness & Healthy Aging Education (Chronic disease, mobility, nutrition) (EDAAAMAG), Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF), Lifelong Learning Institutes (Osher/OLLI-style) & Senior Academies (EDAAAMAA)
Keywords
Where MIT AgeLab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MIT AgeLab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Sponsored Research: MIT AgeLab receives funding from corporate sponsors who collaborate with the lab to conduct research, develop insights, and create public education resources. Sponsors include companies in financial services, healthcare, insurance, and other industries focused on aging populations.
- Research Grants: The lab operates as part of MIT and likely receives academic research grants from government agencies and foundations for specific research initiatives.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
MIT AgeLab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MIT AgeLab is a multidisciplinary research laboratory at MIT that conducts consumer-centered research on population aging, longevity, caregiving, retirement planning, home logistics, and transportation. It delivers value through sponsored research partnerships with corporations, government, and NGOs, producing assessment tools (Longevity Preparedness Index), longitudinal research panels (CareHive, 85+ Lifestyle Leaders, PLAN), educational workbooks and guides, academic publications, and authored books. It does not sell commercial products; rather, it contracts research services and disseminates findings through publications and free public resources.
Product overview
MIT AgeLab is a multidisciplinary research program at MIT that works with business, government, and NGOs to improve the quality of life of older people and those who care for them. The AgeLab does not offer a unified commercial product but rather provides a portfolio of research tools, educational resources, and research panels. Core offerings include the Longevity Preparedness Index (a survey-based assessment tool measuring readiness for aging across eight domains), the 8,000 Days Workbook for retirement planning, and various educational guides on caregiving, financial planning in the shadow of dementia, and safe driving for older adults. The AgeLab also maintains three research panels: CareHive (caregiver panel), the 85+ Lifestyle Leaders Panel, and the Preparing for Longevity Advisory Network (PLAN). Additionally, AgeLab researchers have authored several books on longevity, aging, transportation, learning science, and AI. Research areas span Caregiving & Well-Being, Home Logistics & Services, Retirement & Longevity Planning, and Transportation & Livable Communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Longevity Preparedness Index A survey-based assessment tool developed with John Hancock that measures Americans' readiness for aging across eight domains (health, finance, care, home, daily activities, community, life transitions, and social connection) and generates preparedness scores.
- Longevity Preparedness Index Personalized Assessment Tool A first-of-its-kind personalized longevity preparedness assessment that generates individualized scores across eight domains to help consumers evaluate their readiness for aging and provides actionable improvement insights.
- 8,000 Days Workbook An educational workbook that helps individuals rethink retirement planning by examining it in four phases, enabling them to make the most of the latter portion of their lives.
- CareHive Caregiver Panel An online caregiver panel that learns about caregiver experiences and thoughts by recruiting current and former caregivers of adult family members for ongoing research participation.
- 85+ Lifestyle Leaders Panel A bimonthly meeting panel of people ages 85 and over who discuss topics including age-friendly design, caregiving, technology adoption, mobility, transportation, financial decision-making, and health and well-being.
- Preparing for Longevity Advisory Network (PLAN) A research panel specifically targeting financial advisors, retirement planners, and industry professionals to gather insights on longevity planning.
- The Longevity Economy Book by Joseph F. Coughlin that explores the longevity economy, examining what older people actually want and providing business leaders insight into serving the growing older market.
- Longevity Hubs Book edited by Joseph F. Coughlin and Lucas Yoquinto exploring how specific regions emerge as longevity hubs for aging innovation.
- Perceived Safety Book offering a multidisciplinary perspective on perceived safety, drawing on engineering, philosophy, and psychology.
- Grasp Book by Lucas Yoquinto and Sanjay Sarma exploring the science of learning and how it works in the mind and classroom.
- How to Make AI Useful Book by Bryan Reimer and Magnus Lindkvist exploring how to make AI genuinely practical and beneficial beyond the hype.
- Aging America and Transportation Book by Joseph F. Coughlin and Lisa D'Ambrosio addressing key issues around mobility and transportation for the aging Baby Boomer generation.
- Caregiving and the Future of Financial Advice: A Financial Professional's Guide A playbook created in conjunction with Transamerica that builds on survey and interview research with family caregivers to help financial professionals start conversations with clients facing caregiver challenges.
Quantifiable outcome
- Longevity Preparedness Index finding: US adults score average of 60 out of 100 in overall preparedness for longer lives
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MIT AgeLab
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MIT AgeLab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
MIT AgeLab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- John HancockcoreJohn Hancock, in collaboration with MIT AgeLab, developed the Longevity Preparedness Index and personalized longevity preparedness assessment tool. This partnership involves annual research measuring Americans' readiness for longer lives across eight domains, with findings used to inform John Hancock's product development and wellness initiatives for retirement clients.
- ManulifecoreManulife launched the Manulife Longevity Institute with a $350 million commitment through 2030, partnering with MIT AgeLab among other institutions including Canada's National Institute on Ageing and the Milken Institute. In the US, the institute delivers the annual Longevity Preparedness Index, while in Canada it supports an Ageing in Canada Survey with Toronto Metropolitan University.
- TransamericaminorTransamerica collaborated with MIT AgeLab to release a whitepaper on financial wellness in America, revealing gaps in retirement preparedness and financial literacy. The research found that many Americans overestimate their financial knowledge with significant gaps in retirement preparedness.
- Milken InstitutecoreThe Milken Institute is a key collaborator in the Manulife Longevity Institute initiative, working with MIT AgeLab on research and initiatives focused on closing the gap between lifespan and healthspan.
- Canada's National Institute on AgeingcorePartner in the Manulife Longevity Institute initiative alongside MIT AgeLab, focusing on aging research and innovation in Canada.
- Toronto Metropolitan UniversityminorPartnership with MIT AgeLab for the Ageing in Canada Survey, supporting research on Canadian aging populations.
- MIT Department of Urban Studies & PlanningcoreMIT AgeLab's Director Joseph Coughlin teaches in MIT's Department of Urban Studies & Planning, integrating AgeLab research into academic programs.
- MIT Sloan School of ManagementcoreMIT AgeLab's Director Joseph Coughlin teaches in MIT Sloan's Advanced Management Program, connecting AgeLab research with business education.
- The HartfordminorPartnership to develop public education resources including 'At the Crossroads' materials on Alzheimer's, dementia and driving, disaster planning guides, and driving safety resources for older adults.
- AARPminorAARP has used MIT AgeLab materials to develop seminars for adult children of older drivers, extending the lab's research into public education programs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MIT AgeLab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MIT AgeLab social profiles
Digital presenceMIT AgeLab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MIT AgeLab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
MIT AgeLab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MIT AgeLab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MIT AgeLab
What does MIT AgeLab do?
MIT AgeLab is a multidisciplinary research laboratory at MIT that conducts consumer-centered research on population aging, longevity, caregiving, retirement planning, home logistics, and transportation. It delivers value through sponsored research partnerships with corporations, government, and NGOs, producing assessment tools (Longevity Preparedness Index), longitudinal research panels (CareHive, 85+ Lifestyle Leaders, PLAN), educational workbooks and guides, academic publications, and authored books. It does not sell commercial products; rather, it contracts research services and disseminates findings through publications and free public resources.
Is MIT AgeLab a public or private company?
MIT AgeLab is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MIT AgeLab founded?
MIT AgeLab was founded in 1999. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is MIT AgeLab based?
MIT AgeLab is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does MIT AgeLab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Sponsored Research is the primary driver. The others are research Grants.
Does MIT AgeLab have an API?
No public API is recorded for MIT AgeLab.
What industry is MIT AgeLab in?
MIT AgeLab's product category is Academic Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAMAC, University- or College-Affiliated Senior Learning Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAAMAG, Health, Wellness & Healthy Aging Education (Chronic disease, mobility, nutrition). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.